Somali Pirates Captured Chemical Tanker

02.11.2011 Somali pirates captured a chemical tanker heading through the Gulf of Aden under the flag of Marshall Islands, reports Somalia Report on Nov 1.

Tanker Liquid Velvet belongs to Greek company Elmira Tankers; the crew consists of 21 sailors, all Filipinos. Besides, when the tanker was captured, there was a non-armed security guard on board. His citizenship is not reported.

Although pirates attacked the tanker on Monday, it was reported about the capture only on the next day.

Giving the interview to Reuters, representative of a pirate group named Khalif affirmed the hijackers had boarded the tanker. The pirate did not specify any more details.

According to Somalia Report, capture of Liquid Velvet has become the first success of sea robbers in the recent several months.

The Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean are two regions where pirate attacks happen most frequently. Major part of those criminal actions is conducted by natives of Somalia.

International anti-piracy naval force has been patrolling the Gulf of Aden and Somali territorial waters since 2008; Russian Navy's warships are involved as well.

Somalia cannot cope with piracy because had ceased to exist as united state in 1991 with falling of Siad Barre's dictatorship who had been governing the country since late 60's. Currently, world community recognizes Federal Government of Somalia as the only lawful authority in the country; however, the mentioned government controls only a part of a capital city, Mogadishu and some outlying regions.